Buoyancy harness

ABSTRACT

A buoyancy harness for connecting a rider to a water sport apparatus, including sailboards, boats, and boating accessories, the harness comprised a body portion, a fastener, and a connector. The body portion may take the form of a waist or seat harness that is configured to encircle at least a portion of the lower abdomen of the rider and possibly a portion of the pelvic region. At least a portion of the body portion is comprised of at least one layer of buoyant material. The body portion may also include a water permeable material that permits trapped water to pass through the harness. The fastener is operably connected to the body portion and is configured to secure the body portion to at least a portion of the rider. The connector is also operably connected to the body portion and is configured for operable attachment to the water sport apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a harness for attachment to a watersport apparatus, such as a sailboard, sailboat, kite, boat, or boatingaccessory. More specifically, the present invention pertains to abuoyant seat or waist harness that may be directly or indirectlyattached to a water sport apparatus which covers at least a portion ofthe participant's, hereinafter referred to as rider, lower abdomenregion. The present invention provides some buoyancy in the event thatthe rider falls into the water or in the event of an emergency.

Over the years, water-based sports, and particularly sailboarding,including windsurfing and kiteboarding, have steadily increased inpopularity. Unlike surfing, sailboarding sports are not dependent onlarge waves for excitement. Instead, sailboarding sports rely on thepower of the wind to propel the rider along or above the water, therebyallowing those not conveniently located near a sea or ride-able waves toparticipate in board-based water sports. Sailboarding apparatusestypically rely on sails and kites to capture and harness the power ofthe wind.

One type of sailboarding apparatus is a windsurfer. Windsurfers aretypically comprised of a board, mast, mastfoot, boom, and sail. A riderstanding atop the board typically holds onto the boom, which isconnected to the mast at one end and the sail at the other end, andwhich allows the rider to tip and turn the mast about the mastfoot. Themanipulation of the mast assists in the rider's ability to control andsteer the direction of travel. Riders often wear a harness that directlyor indirectly connects to the boom or other parts of the rig. Byattaching the harness to the windsurfer, the rider may lessen the loadon his or her arms that is created when holding onto the boom or rig,thereby reducing fatigue that a rider may experience when holding ontothe boom or rig for relatively long periods of time. Further, by relyingon the harness to maintain a connection between the rider and thewindsurfer, the rider is able to use more of his or her overall weightto balance the forces that are asserted against the windsurfer.

With kiteboarding, the mast and boom are eliminated. Instead, sails orkites are typically connected to a bar that is both held by the riderand which is also connected to the rider's harness. When attempting tocontrol the direction of travel, the kiteboard rider may pull on the barto tug the lines that are connected to the kite, and thus manipulate theposition of the kite, while also relying on the secure connectionbetween the harness and the bar to balance his or her weight along theboard.

A variety of harnesses for sailboarding and boating activities areavailable. These harnesses can be broken down into three maincategories, namely, jacket harnesses, waist harnesses, and seatharnesses. Jacket harnesses may be similar to life jackets or lifepreservers in that the jacket harness fits around the neck, shoulders,and chest of the rider and may also function as a floatation device.Waist and seat harnesses generally cover at least a portion of the lowerabdomen of the rider. Seat harnesses and some waist harnesses may alsocover a portion the rider's buttock region. Seat harnesses typicallyinclude thigh straps that are not commonly found on waist harnesses.However, some waist harnesses do not extend as far, if at all, below thewaist of the rider, or do not cover any portion of the rider's buttockregion.

Although each type of harness has its own advantages and disadvantages,waist and seat harnesses are generally considered more comfortable,offer relatively good back support while maintaining a low profile, andenable the rider to use all of his or her body weight in balancing andmaneuvering the specific board-based apparatus. Thus, most participantsin sailboarding activities prefer to wear seat or waist harnesses ratherthan jacket harnesses. However, unlike jacket harnesses, non-inflatablewaist or seat harnesses do not assist in keeping a rider afloat inwater.

Because the boards used with sailboarding activities are consideredflotation devices, participants in these sports are not required by lawto wear separate flotation apparatuses, namely life preserves orflotation jackets. Some boards however, such as those used forkiteboarding, are no larger than a wakeboard, and therefore often do notprovide sufficient flotation to help an injured or tired rider stayafloat in the event of an emergency. Yet, because of issues related tocomfort, maneuverability, or a general disregard for safety, themajority of participants in sailboarding activities do not wearfloatation jackets and continue to wear waist and seat harnesses thatare not buoyant.

Further, because some of these sports, such as kiteboarding, allowriders to ascend thirty feet or more above the water, some manufacturersoffer buoyant impact vests. Impact vests are designed to provide someprotection from the spectacular falls that often result when riderscrash down into the water. However, many riders do not wear impact vestsbecause such vests are cumbersome and thus restrict the upper bodymovement and maneuverability of the rider. Further, some riders refuseto wear impact vests because the large vests are considered to beunstylish.

Additionally, while participating in sailboarding and boatingactivities, riders typically continuously wear seat and waist harnessesfor several hours before removing the harness. Because seat and waistharnesses do not include buoyant materials, non-inflatable seat andwaist harnesses are often stiff, and thus create pressure points insidethe harness that cause rider discomfort, and may result in uncomfortablesores and skin irritation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,153 discloses a seat harness having a body part thatfits around the rider and one or more straps that are swivelably mountedon the body part that may be connected to a boom. Although the harnesstaught by the U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,153 reference is intended to allow arider to transfer his or her weight to the boom, and thus relieve strainon the arms, the harness does not also function as a flotation device.Thus, if a rider were in danger in the middle of a body of water, therider most likely would have to rely on the board for flotation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,773 discloses a jacket harness for use withsailboards in which the jacket is both buoyant and has a claspconfigured for attaching the jacket to a sailboard line. In the event anemergency arises while out on the water, the buoyancy of the jacketprovides the rider with an additional safety flotation device, ratherthan merely having to rely on the board for a safe return to land or tokeep the rider afloat until help arrived. Buoyant harness jacketshowever are typically cumbersome, uncomfortable, and do not allow therider to use all of his or her body weight in maneuvering the sailboardto the same extent attainable with waist and seat harnesses.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,562 discloses a safety belt that may, through theuse of compressed air, be converted into a life preserver that is placedover an individual's head and about the shoulders and neck. However, theU.S. Pat. No. 6,036,562 reference requires that the user be coherentenough to place the vest around his or her neck and inflate the safetypreserve with the compressed air. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,562 referencedoes not disclose a waist or seat harness that may both connect a riderto sailboard apparatus and which may also act as a buoyancy devicewithout requiring that the apparatus be inflated.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,677 discloses a water sport belt that may protectpersonal items such as credit cards, and which includes an inflatablebladder to provide buoyancy in the event an emergency arises. Morespecifically, the U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,677 reference discloses theblowing of a sufficient amount of air into an accordion shaped bladderso that the belt may become buoyant. As with the U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,562reference, the device disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,677 referencerequires that the user be coherent enough to inflate the bladder. TheU.S. Pat. No. 6,179,677 reference does not disclose a waist or seatharness that connects a rider to a sailboard apparatus and which doesnot require inflation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,255 discloses a flotation hiking harness thatincludes both a jacket and attached waist and seat portions. The frontand shoulder sections of the hiking apparatus are configured such thatbuoyancy is established as high up on the harness as possible, includingover the chest, such that a person wearing the hiking harness in thewater will be turned to a face-up position. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,255reference does not disclose a waist or seat harness apparatus in whichbuoyancy is provided through the seat or belt portion of the harness.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,961 discloses a safety belt harness that is tetheredto a self-retracting reel for use on boats. The reel, and associatedtethering line, allows the rider wearing the harness to move around theboat while still ensuring that the rider remains attached to the boat.In the event that the rider falls into the water, the rider may use thetethering line to pull himself back into the boat. The tethering linemay also be connected to an inflatable life belt or harness worn by therider such that, in the event the tethering line is disengaged, the lifebelt or harness will automatically inflate. The device disclosed in theU.S. Pat. No. 4,567,961 patent does not teach a waist or seat harnessthat also acts as a flotation device without the need for inflation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a buoyancyharness for use in water-based activities.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a buoyant seator waist harness for use with water sport apparatuses, includingboating, sailing, and sailboarding activities, and particularly for usewith a windsurfer and kiteboarding.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a comfortableseat and waist harness that will prevent the development of pressurepoints inside the harness.

These and other desirable characteristics of the present invention willbecome apparent in view of the present specification, including theclaims and drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a safety device for water sports andactivities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a waistor seat harness for use with water sport apparatuses, including boating,sailing, and sailboarding activities in which the waist or seat harnessis buoyant and may operably connect the rider to the water sportapparatus.

The harness includes a body portion, a fastener, and a connector. Thefastener may be configured to secure the body portion to at least aportion of the rider and may assist in operably connecting the harnessto the water sport apparatus. The fastener may include at least onestrap and at least one clamp, the clamp or clamps preferably beingconfigured to operably maintain the strap or straps in a taut condition.The connector is operably connected to the fastener or to the bodyportion, and may include a clasp and a bar. The clasp may be configuredfor direct or indirect attachment to the water sport apparatus,including attachment through the use of lines and straps.

The body preferably has an outer region, an inner region, an upperregion, a mid region, and a lower region. At least a portion of theinner region may include at least one layer of buoyant material, suchas, but not limited to, a closed cell foam. Besides providing buoyancy,the layer or layers of buoyant material may also provide padding thatprevents the development of pressure points inside the harness anddiscomfort to the rider. Further, at least a portion of the outer regionof the lower region may include a water permeable material configured toallow trapped water to flow through the harness, and thus improve therider's comfort while also reducing drag.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is a buoyantseat harness, which may further include a thigh strap or straps. In suchan embodiment, the body portion may fit around at least a portion of thelower abdomen and pelvis of the rider. The lower region of the body mayalso be configured to surround at least a portion of the rider'sbuttock.

In one embodiment of the seat harness, the harness may, when inverted,be configured to be used as a buoyant chest harness. In such anembodiment, the thigh strap may be used as one or more arm straps,thereby assisting in transforming the apparatus into an upper bodyfloatation device. The fastener may also be configured so as to wraparound a portion of the rider's back region so as to further secure theapparatus to the rider's body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is abuoyant waist harness, wherein the body portion encircles at least aportion of the rider's lower abdomen and lower back region. In theillustrated embodiment, the lower region of the waist harness terminatesat approximately the waist of the rider. In such an embodiment, thelower region may cover a minimal, if any, portion of the rider's buttockregion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a seat harness inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation view of a seat harness in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevation view of a seat harness in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of a seat harness in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a layer of buoyant materialin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front elevation view of a seat harness inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of a seat harness in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear elevation view of a seat harness in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of two layers of buoyantmaterial and an secondary layer in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front elevation view of a waist harness inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view of a waist harness inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a rear elevation view of a waist harness inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of a waist harness in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certainembodiments. It should be understood, however, that the presentinvention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shownin the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 illustrate one embodiment of the present inventionin which the buoyant harness 10 is a seat harness 11. The seat harness11 may include a body portion 12, a fastener 16, and a connector 18. Theseat harness 11 may also include at least one thigh strap 20, each thighstrap 20 being configured to wrap around at least a portion of the upperthigh or groin region of the rider.

The body portion 12 of the seat harness 11 is comprised of an outerregion 60, an inner region, an upper region 13, a mid region 14, and alower region 15, and is configured to fit around at least a portion ofthe lower abdomen and pelvis of the rider. The lower region 15 of theseat harness 11 may be configured to surround at least a portion of therider's buttock. The mid region 14 may include arms 21 that areconfigured to extend across at least a portion of the lower abdomenand/or the frontal waist region of the rider. Although the arms 21, asillustrated in FIG. 1, are shown as being apart from one another, thearms 21 may also be configured for closer proximity, including abuttingor overlapping orientations. Further, at least a portion of the upperregion 13 of the seat harness 11 may include an elevated region 24 thatis oriented to provide back support to the rider.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mid region 14 of the body portion 12 may beoperably connected to a belt 22 that assists in securing the seatharness 11 to the rider, the belt 22 being configured to traverse atleast a portion of the lower abdomen or waist region of the rider. Inthe illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the belt 22 may beoperably connected to the arms 21. The belt 22 may be securely fastenedin a number of ways, including, but not limited to, through the use ofVelcro, clasps, snaps, buttons, buckles, or hooks.

At least a portion of the outer region 60 of the body portion 12 may beconstructed of a water resistant material, including, but not limitedto, nylon. Further, at least a portion of the outer region 60 located inproximity to the lower region 15 may include a permeable material, suchas, but not limited to, a mesh, that allows accumulated water to flowthrough the seat harness 11, thereby improving the comfort of the riderwhile also reducing drag.

As shown in FIG. 5, the outer region 60 encloses at least a substantialportion of the inner region 62 and may offer some structural support tothe materials contained within the inner region 62. In the illustratedembodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the innerregion 62 includes at least one layer of buoyant material 26, such as,but not limited to, a closed cell foam. The foam may also add somepadding so as to assist in resisting the development of pressure pointswithin the harness 11 that may cause rider discomfort.

The fastener 16 may be configured to secure the seat harness 11 to therider and assist in operably attaching the seat harness 11 to the watersport apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the fastener 16 mayinclude at least one strap 30 and at least one clamp 34, the strap 30having a first end 31 and a second end 32. The clamp 34 may include, butis not limited to, a pivotable locking mechanism, buckle, snap, hook, orclasp. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 31 of the strap 30is stitched to the seat harness 11. Alternatively, a portion of thestrap 30 in proximity to the first end 31 may be operably connected tothe seat harness 11 via a second clamp. In another embodiment, at leasta portion of the strap 30 passes through a loop or buckle such that thefirst end 31 and second end 32 of the strap 30 may be located inproximity to the same side of the seat harness 11. In anotheralternative embodiment, the strap 30 is comprised of two straps 30, bothof which are operably connected to the seat harness 11. In such anembodiment, at least a portion of both straps 30 engage a clamp 34 so asto operably secure the seat harness 11 about the rider.

The clamp 34 is configured to operably maintain the desired tautness ofthe strap 30 about the seat harness 11, thereby securing the seatharness 11 to the rider. In the illustrated embodiment of the presentinvention, the second end 32 of the strap 30 is pulled until the strap30 is taut. Upon the removal of the pulling force, a portion of thestrap 30 remains operably engaged with the clamp 34, thereby retainingthe strap 30 in a taut condition.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 illustrate a seat harness 11 that includes a connector18. The connector 18 is configured for both attachment to the seatharness 11 and for operable engagement with a strap or line that isdirectly or indirectly connected to a water sport apparatus. In theillustrated embodiment of the present invention, the connector 18includes a bar 40 and a clasp 42, the bar 40 having a first end 43, asecond end 44, and a mid section 45. The clasp 42 may be operablyconnected to the mid section of the bar 40. The first and second ends43, 44 may be configured for operable engagement with the mid region 14of the seat harness 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the first andsecond ends 43, 44 include slots that are configured for operableengagement with the strap 30.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the seat harness 11 may beconfigured so that, when inverted, the seat harness 11 may be used as achest harness. In such an embodiment, the thigh strap 20 may be used asan arm strap. The body portion 12 of the seat harness 11 may then beplaced about the chest region of the rider. Further, the strap 30 may beof sufficient length to be secured in a taut condition about the back ofthe rider through the use of the clamp 34, thereby further assisting insecuring the harness 11 about the chest region of the rider.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention in which the body portion 12 of a seat harness 17 furtherincludes a first body 28 and second body 29, the first body 28 having anouter region 60 a that includes an inner surface 36 and an outer surface37. At least a portion of the inner surface 36 of the first body 28abuts the body of the rider. The body portion 60 b of the second body 29abuts at least a portion of the outer surface 37 and is configured toadd structural support to the first body 28. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,the body portion 60 b of the second body 29 may cover a substantialportion of the abutting upper, mid, and lower regions 13, 14, 15 of theouter surface 37 of the body portion 60 a of the first body 28. In analternative embodiment, the second body 29 encircles only a portion ofthe upper and/or mid region 13, 14 of the first body 28.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial cross sectional view of FIG. 8. As shown,the inner region 62 a of the first body 28 includes a layer of buoyantmaterial 26, while the inner region 62 b of the second body 29 includesan secondary layer 27. The secondary layer 27 may be constructed from avariety of different materials, including a buoyant material, such as,but not limited to, a closed cell foam having a density higher than thematerial used for the layer of buoyant material 26. Additionally, thesecondary layer 27 preferably provides additional structural support tothe layer of buoyant material 26 contained within the first body 28.Further, the secondary layer 27 may assist in displacing uncomfortablepressure points that may develop within the harness 11 from the operableconnection of the harness 11 to a water sport apparatus.

Although FIG. 9 illustrates a difference in height between the layer ofbuoyant material 26 and the secondary layer 27 so as to create a step52, the secondary layer 27 may also be configured to have the samegeneral shape and height of the layer of buoyant material 26 so that astep 52 is not present. Further, the layer of buoyant material 26 andthe secondary layer 27 may be both positioned within the same innerregion 62 and thus enclosed by the same outer region 60. For example,the partial cross section illustrated by FIG. 5 may be modified toinclude an secondary layer 27 that is positioned alongside the layer ofbuoyant material 26 within the inner region 62. In such a modifiedembodiment, the harness 11 does not have to include first and secondbody 28, 29 as illustrated in FIG. 6, but may instead have the samegeneral configuration of the harness 11 shown in FIG. 1.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the harness 10 is abuoyant waist harness 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13.The waist harness 50 includes a body portion 12, a fastener 16, and aconnector 18. In such an embodiment, the waist harness 50 issubstantially similar to the seat harness 11 with the exception of theconfiguration of the lower region 15 of the body portion 12. In theillustrated embodiment of the present invention, the lower region 15 ofthe waist harness 50 terminates at approximately the waist of the rider,as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In such an embodiment, the lower region 15may cover a minimal, if any, portion of the rider's buttock region.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A buoyancy harness for connecting a rider to a kite or boom of asailboards comprised of: a. a body portion, the body portion configuredto encircle at least a portion of the lower abdomen of the rider, thebody portion having an inner region, an outer region, and a mid region,at least a portion of the inner region being comprised of at least onelayer of a buoyant closed cell foam material, at least a portion of thebuoyant closed cell foam material of the inner region being enclosed bythe outer region, at least a portion of the outer region being comprisedof a water resistant material; b. a fastener operably connected to thebody portion, the fastener configured to secure the body portion to atleast a portion of the rider, at least a portion of the fastener beingattached to the body portion; and c. a connector, the connector operablyconnected to the body portion, the connector configured for operableattachment to the kite or boom.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thebody portion is configured to be a waist harness in which the bodyportion terminates at approximately at the waist region of the rider. 3.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body portion is configured to be aseat harness in which the body portion covers at least a portion of thebuttock region of the rider.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 including atleast one thigh strap, said at least one thigh strap being operablyconnected to the body portion.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein theseat harness is configured to be a chest harness when inverted, said atleast one thigh strap being configured to encircle at least a portion ofat least one arm of the rider.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein atleast a portion of the outer region is comprised of a water permeablematerial.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastener is comprisedof at least one strap and at least one clamp, said at least one clampconfigured to operably maintain said at least one strap in a tautcondition.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the connector iscomprised of a clasp and a bar, said bar configured for engagement withat least a portion of the at least one strap, the clasp configured foroperable attachment to the water sport apparatus.
 9. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein the body portion is further comprised of a first bodyand a second body, the first body comprised of an inner surface and anouter surface, at least a portion of the outer surface configured toabut against at least a portion of the second body.
 10. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein at least a portion of the outer region is comprised ofnylon.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The invention of claim 1 wherein the at leastone layer of buoyant material is configured to provide padding to theharness.
 13. The invention of claim 1 including a secondary layercomprised of a closed cell foam having a higher density than saidbuoyant closed cell foam material of said body portion, said secondarylayer configured to provide structural support to said buoyant closedcell foam material of said body portion.
 14. (canceled)
 15. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein the mid region includes at least one arm.16. The invention of claim 1 wherein the mid region is operablyconnected to a belt, said belt being configured to traverse at least aportion of the lower abdomen of the rider.
 17. A buoyancy harness forconnecting a rider to a kite or boom of a sailboards comprised of: a. abody portion, the body portion configured to encircle at least a portionof the lower abdomen of the rider, the body portion having an innerregion, an outer region, an upper region, a mid region, and a lowerregion, at least a portion of the mid region being comprised of at leastone layer of a buoyant closed cell foam material, at least a portion ofthe lower region being comprised of a water permeable material; b. afastener operably connected to the body portion, the fastener configuredto secure the body portion to at least a portion of the rider, thefastener being comprised of at least one strap and at least one clamp,at least a portion of said fastener being attached to the body portion,said at least one clamp configured to operably maintain said at leastone strap in a taut condition; and c. a connector comprised of a claspand a bar, said bar configured for operable connection to the bodyportion, the clasp configured for operable attachment to the kite orboom.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the body portion isconfigured to be a waist harness in which the lower region terminates atapproximately at the waist region of the rider.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 17 wherein the body portion is configured to be a seat harness inwhich the lower region covers at least a portion of the buttock regionof the rider.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 including at least one thighstrap, said at least one thigh strap being operably connected to thebody portion.
 21. The invention of claim 20 wherein the seat harness isconfigured to be a chest harness when inverted, said at least one thighstrap being configured to encircle at least a portion of at least onearm of the rider.
 22. (canceled)
 23. The invention of claim 17 whereinthe at least one layer of buoyant material is configured to be paddingin the harness.
 24. The invention of claim 17 including a secondarylayer comprised of a closed cell foam material having a higher densitythan said buoyant closed cell foam material of said body portion, saidsecondary layer configured to provide structural support to said buoyantclosed cell foam material of said body portion.
 25. (canceled)
 26. Theinvention of claim 17 wherein the mid region includes at least one arm.27. The invention of claim 17 wherein the mid region is operablyconnected to a belt, said belt being configured to traverse at least aportion of the lower abdomen of the rider.
 28. A buoyancy harness forconnecting a rider to a kite or boom of a sailboards comprised of: a. abody portion, the body portion configured to encircle at least a portionof the lower abdomen of the rider, the body portion having a first body,a second body, an inner region, an outer region, an upper region, a midregion, and a lower region, at least a portion of the mid region of thefirst body being comprised of at least one layer of a water buoyantclosed cell foam material, the mid region including at least one arm, atleast a portion of the lower region being comprised of a water permeablematerial, the first body having an inner surface and an outer surface,the outer surface configured for operable engagement with at least aportion of the second body; b. a secondary layer comprised of a closedcell foam material having a higher density than said buoyant closed cellfoam material of said body portion said secondary layer configured toprovide structural support to said buoyant closed cell foam material ofsaid body portion; c. a fastener configured to secure the body portionto at least a portion of the rider, the fastener being comprised of atleast one strap and at least one clamp, said at least one clampconfigured to operably maintain said at least one strap in a tautcondition, said strap comprised of a first end and a second end, atleast a portion of said first end being attached to at least a portionof said at least one layer of said water buoyant closed cell foammaterial; and d. a connector, the connector operably connected to thebody portion, the connector being comprised of a clasp and a bar, saidbar configured for operable engagement with at least a portion of the atleast one strap, the clasp configured for operable attachment to thekite or boom.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the body portion isconfigured to be a waist harness in which the lower region terminates atapproximately at the waist region of the rider.
 30. The apparatus ofclaim 28 wherein the body portion is configured to be a seat harness inwhich the lower region covers at least a portion of the buttock regionof the rider.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30 including at least one thighstrap, said at least one thigh strap being operably connected to thebody portion.
 32. The invention of claim 31 wherein the seat harness isconfigured to be a chest harness when inverted, said at least one thighstrap being configured to encircle at least a portion of at least onearm of the rider.
 33. (canceled)
 34. The invention of claim 28 whereinthe at least one layer of buoyant material is configured to providepadding to the harness.
 35. (canceled)
 36. (canceled)
 37. The inventionof claim 28 wherein the mid region is operably connected to a belt, saidbelt being configured to traverse at least a portion of the lowerabdomen of the rider.
 38. The invention of claim 1 wherein theattachment of said fastener to said body portion is a sewn attachment.39. The invention of claim 17 wherein the attachment of said fastener tosaid body portion is a sewn attachment.
 40. The invention of claim 28wherein the attachment of said first end to said at least one layer ofsaid water buoyant closed cell foam material is a sewn attachment.